In a major crackdown on the narcotics trade, the Palghar police in Maharashtra have seized drugs valued at Rs1.83 crore in separate operations and arrested three individuals, including a medical shop owner, officials said on Tuesday.
On Monday, during a routine patrol along the Mokhada-Trimbak road, police noticed a suspicious car speeding. Despite being signaled to stop, the driver attempted to flee. After a chase, the vehicle was found abandoned in Chinchur village.
Superintendent of Police (Palghar Rural), Yatish Deshmukh, stated that a search of the car led to the discovery of 111.42 kg of opium, valued at Rs7.8 lakh, along with two fake number plates. The driver remains at large.
In another case from Sunday, police intercepted two individuals near a hotel in Ibadpada, Talasari area, and seized 2.33 kg of ganja worth Rs3 lakh. The accused, aged 24 and 38, hail from Palghar and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, respectively. Authorities also seized two motorcycles and mobile phones during the arrests.
Adding to the list of arrests, on Monday, the Thane Police Crime Branch arrested a 55-year-old medical shop owner from Kudus, Palghar, for possessing mephedrone (MD) worth Rs1.69 crore. Identified as Sharma, he allegedly ran the pharmacy as a front for drug dealing.
Senior Inspector Sachin Gaikwad confirmed that Sharma was using his Pragati Nagar shop to supply illegal narcotics, marking one of the largest mephedrone seizures in the region this year.
Police investigations are ongoing to identify additional links in the drug network.
